Henry J Kampe, 1916-1983, was this his sled?

 

“The sled belonged to your father.” This message has been passed down to me for years. Is this true or false?

 

Maybe it was not a dream; I remember seeing tracks down the hill at grandpa’s home in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. The photo included in this blog is me on a sled in February 1943. Since I was born 1 August 1939, I would have been three and a half years old. The dream or memory in my mind plays out of descending down the long, to a child, gentle hill. I remember various tracks in the snow from numerous trips up and down the side yard.

 Is it possible that my dad had a flexible wooden sled? Yes, according to Wikipedia.com, “Samuel Leeds Allen patented the Flexible Flyer in 1889…” 

“Flexible Fliers are flexible both in design and usage. Riders may sit upright on the sled or lie on their stomachs, allowing the possibility to descend a snowy slope feet-first or head-first. To steer the sled, riders may either push on the wooden cross piece with their hands or feet, or pull on the rope attached to the wooden cross-piece. Shifting the cross-piece one way or the other causes the flexible rails to bend, turning the sled.”  Comparing my sled model with online photos, this sled may have been designed in the 1920s.

  The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor, reminds us to wring out every detail in a photo. My dad’s hand writing provides the date as February 1943. Selma on the sled is the subject. This leaves only the location in question. Concrete blocks, tires and wood scraps appear in the upper half of the original photo. HINT: scan ALL of the original photo, keep original scan, crop for publication.

family

With my family staying in Will County, Illinois, the following are three possible locations:

• 1.    My maternal grandparents, the Schuler family lived at 815 Madison Street, Lockport. The garage was wooden. In the front yard was a short steep hill ending at the curb.
• 2.    My dad had purchased an old house at 56 Herkimer Street, Joliet. He remodeled this into six apartments. It would have had a back porch that may have had blocks, but doubt the tires. I doubt this was the place, very small yard, no hill. I attended first grade 1945-1946, so I doubt he owned the building in 1943.
• 3.    My paternal grandfather, William Kampe, lived at the edge of Frankfort. My dad grew up on this farm. The buildings consisted of the original barn with adjoining equipment shed, summer kitchen, garden, chicken house and home. All the buildings appeared to be the same vintage. Except, a large concrete block garage looked out of place at the end of the gravel turnaround between the garden and the chicken house. The garage was definitely more modern than the rest of the buildings.

 With these three choices, I would choose Frankfort. We visited often. It would be the safest for a three and a half year old child to slide down the grassy hill and stop safely with no traffic. Dad and his father were probably out working in the garage when I stopped at the bottom of the hill.

If this is my dad’s sled, they could have been cleaning out the garage as many of us are attempting to do today. Thank you, Deborah; the sled has a great new home. May this article be a tribute to the sled, my dad, my grandparents and many fond memories!!!

 Comments, Selma Kampe Blackmon, sbgenealogy@gmail.com.

Henry Kampe, 1916-1983 and Mildred Schuler 1919-2008

How do I know that . . . Henry Kampe, 1916-1983, and Mildred Schuler, 1919-2008, are my parents..

Henry was from Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. Mildred was from Lockport, Will County, Illinois. Mom said that they met on a double date, each arriving with someone else. In this photo dated 1936, Henry was picking up Mildred at 815 

Madison Street, Lockport, Illinois. How do I know? The date

is on the back; I recognize the house in the background.

They were married in November 1938 in her home.

My birth name is Selma Ethel Kampe. I have my birth certificate and hospital footprint. Selma is a very unusual name. I have never met anyone with this given name. At a very early age, my mother explained to me that I was named for my two grandmothers. My name Selma honors Selma Alfrieda Wilhamine Elsner (1887-1928) my paternal grandmother. My name Ethel honors Nettie Ethel Couch Schuler (1884-1965) my maternal grandmother. Next question, how did my grandmothers receive their name? More research! Several years ago, I met a Jordanian doctor. His given name was Salem. He explained to me that Selma is the feminine form of Salem. He also said that it is the Hebrew form for “peace” and used the example of Jerusalem which means city of peace.

Today, I would have been called a preemie. I fit all the categories and mom said I was covered in soft “peach fuzz.” 

I did grow up, this photo was in the spring of 1940.This photo was taken in the backyard of the house on Madison Street in Lockport.

I was too young to remember much of my first four years. By 1940, Dad was working for the State of Illinois as a Court Reporter. We traveled regularly from Lockport to Springfield. When in Lockport, the trailer was parked in my maternal grandparents yard. When in Springfield, the trailer was parked in a trailer park near the fairgrounds.  Mom said that I always jumped out of the car running to look for playmates. Dad’s work finished, mom would pack and we were on the move within 20 minutes. The packing included me, my toys and Brownie, our dog. This back and forth move was completed many times during these four years.

Time for me to start school, mom did stay in Lockport at her parents. What a privilege to attend kindergarten at the same school as my mom. This was a great connection for us! Time to set down roots, so dad converted a building directly across from Joliet Township High School at 56 Herkimer Street, Joliet, into six apartments. When I was ready to start first grade, we moved into one of the apartments. When I was ready to start high school, we moved to 1207 Oneida Street, Joliet.

Memories:

My first memory was negative. I was supposed to be asleep in the trailer; mom went into the house; I got out of my bed; I crawled onto the counter top and took all of mom’s decorative plants out of the top storage. Mom came in to find me sitting in the dark with dirt all over the floor. I don’t remember what happened next. Years later, mom said she never remembered the event.

Other memories:

• Mom had a cold storage window box during the war
• The traveling iceman
• The traveling scissor/knife sharpening man
• Many fun hours of roller skating around the high school
• Homemade ice cream with my cousins at their home on Jefferson Street in Lockport
• Time with dad’s family in Frankfort
• Jingles, my dog
• Loved sports, not coordinated, both mom and dad would spend time with me practicing
• Church next door, my mom's sister was pastor, so I got to play in the church
• Touring the states, every August in the late 1940s early 1950s before interstate highways, we traveled 500 miles per day. I have been through every state except one in the far northeast.
• Played cards as family, Canasta, dad always first, mom always second, me always last
• Watching the bears eat donuts in the city dump in northern Wisconsin

Henry and Mildred Kampe at the Chez Paree in Chicago, Illinois in the early 1950s.

How do I know Henry John Kampe and Mildred Louise Schuler were my parents? Documentation, photos and mostly family memories!!! If you knew my parents, please write and tell me your stories. Write down your own stories now instead of waiting until the memories fade.

Laura Armstrong Couch 1931 death certificate correction

Laura Eleanor Armstrong COUCH died 11 March1931. A transcription error occurred between the filed death certificate from the Illinois State Archives and the certified copy.
In the Medical certificate of death, a "3-" appears. This may be for $3 or some other notation. In my certified copy the "3-" was transcribed as death date. This makes for an interesting document as the doctor stated she was last seen alive on 11 March 1931.

If possible, always try to find an original document. We all make mistakes.

Happy tree climbing and roots digging!!!

John Schuler 1815-1875

According to family records, Johannes Schuler was born 4 January 1815 in Endingen, Emmendingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.[Not being an European researcher, I have no idea what the full location names mean.] John died 21 August 1875 in Lockport, Will County, Illinois. He was buried 25 August 1875 in the Lockport City Cemetery. Not exciting news, what happened between the birth and death dates? Follow his migration path.

John Schuler emigrated from Endingen, Germany in June 1833. Johann Georg Schuler and his wife, Agnes Zimmermann, left sometime in June of 1833 with their five children. Johannes Schuler, the eldest child, was 19. David J. Sautter's Endingen research is available on Family Search.org.

Passenger records reveal the family arrived in Baltimore, Maryland between July and September 1833. In 1838, John married Anna VonGunten in Wood County, Ohio. What happened between 1833 and 1838? At this time, no records reveal their secret. After his wedding, John and his new bride set out for new territory in Illinois.

The 1840 U.S. Federal Census lists John Shuler in Kane, Illinois. Could this be John and Anna? Two people within the appropriate age range are enumerated in the household. From my personal searches, other canal workers resided in Kane County before working on the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

The 1850 U.S. Federal Census lists John in Lockport, Illinois. He labored on the I & M Canal, purchased land from the Canal Commission and produced six children between 1840-1852: John 1840-1916, Elizabeth 1842-1915, Charles Henry 1845-1904, Mary Ann 1848-1933, Caroline 1850-1917 and Agnes 1852-1916. What happens next? 

He and his wife attended Christmas church services in 1852. Within the next year or two, John headed west. With the work on the canal completed, did he head west looking for work? Family lore tells of other family members looking for gold. Did this entice John? The 1860 U.S. Federal Census shows a potential male living in Long Barn, Yuba, California. The 1870 U.S. Federal Census lists a male living in Newcastle, Placer, California. In 1872, John wrote a letter to Ann that he was coming home. A long life, I would like to know John and all the family better. Also, I would like some photographs.

For more of my findings on John Schuler/Shuler Roots Digger Family Tree on Ancestry.com. My sources are documented. The tree is open and public.

Who is the mother of Sarah Caroline Couch (1856-1927)?

According to the death certificate received as a digital image from Family Search, Sarah Caroline Couch born 2 October 1856, Rome, N.Y. died 4 July 1927, Joliet, IL.Further information lists her father as Elisha T. Couch, N.Y. and her mother as Angeline Hempton, N.Y. The informant is Mrs. W.J. Schuler (Nettie Couch). Carrie is the informant's aunt. The purpose of this search is to verify the name of Elisha's wife and the mother of Carrie. 

• WI, Eau Claire County. Marriage certificate. George H. Couch and Mrs. Mary E. Fish. Volume 2, page 59.  10 December 1883. George names his father as Elisha Couch and mother Jane Denham. 
• IL, LaSalle County, Probate for Sarah C. Couch, alias Carrie S. Couch. Started 4 June 1928 filed 5 March 1929. In the will, Eugenia Couch Woodin, states that Carrie's parents were Elisha T. Couch and Jane A. Couch. Neither of her parents were married more than once. 
• IL, LaSalle County. Death Certificate for Eugene Couch. 4704. Father's name is Elisha Couch of Hartford, CT. Mother's name is Jane Dunham of Rome, N.Y. informant Mrs. Eugene Couch (wife).
• IL, LaSalle County. Marriage certificate. Lewis A. Couch and Susannah R. Kimberk. 655. 31 October 1883. Lewis names his father as Elisha T. Couch and mother Jane A. Dunham.
• IL, Will County, Death Certificate for Lewis Augustus Couch. 46886. Father's name Couch of New Haven, CT. Mother's name Jane Angeline Dunham of Rome, N.Y. Grace Couch is informant and daughter.

Hempton connection:

William Hempton (1826-1904) married Louisa Dunham (1834-?). I am unable to connect them to my direct line.

After completing the request form to Family Search for Sarah Caroline Couch (1856-1927), I received the digitized copy of her death certificate. According to family records, her mother’s name is Jane A. Dunham Couch. The index name is Angeline Hempton. The death certificate name is Angeline Hempton. The informant in 1927 is my maternal grandmother, Mrs. W.J. Schuler or Nettie Couch Schuler, the niece of the deceased. Carrie went into the hospital for an appendix and gall stone operation and died of a heart attack. This one document has started the search for other family documents. After searching land records, marriages, death certificates and other family records, the only conclusion at this time, is that Nettie was under stress due to Carrie’s unexpected death on 4 July 1927. Only the complete record will reveal all the information. Only the comparison with other records has led me by analysis to conclude that Angeline Hempton is not the mother of Sarah Caroline Couch. Aunt Carrie’s mother is Jane Angeline Dunham, the same mother for all children of Elisha T. Couch.

Family history: SCHULER, William John (1871-1964)

My grandfather, William John Schuler was born in Lockport, Will County, Illinois 12 September 1871. By 1885, he was a mule driver and deck hand on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Many interesting stories have been handed down such as "Don't pay the deck hands before the boat is tied up." He related how once near Peoria, he paid the men and they jumped ship and swam to shore. During his courting years, he had to stop in Seneca on Sunday for chicken and to visit a certain young chick. William John and Nettie Ethel Couch were married in home of the bride in Seneca, Illinois on 23 December 1908. While on the boat, Nettie cooked for the crew. Eleanor Lena, their first child was tied to the washing machine so she would not fall overboard. By the time of the second child, William Lloyd, permanent residence was established on 8th Street in Lockport. They had five children with four living to adulthood, marriage and raising their own families. On 31 December 1964, Grandpa Schuler or Pa Shoo (privilege to call his name depended on family status) laid down on the bed for his afternoon nap. At 93 years of age, naps are a privilege no one will dispute. Grandma mentioned that it was time for dinner and time to wake him.  What a peaceful way to pass away.

The copies of his pilot license were obtained from the National Archives at St. Louis. MO.

The SchulerKampe family trees are a work in progress on RootsWeb, My Heritage and Ancestry. Or, if you have questions and comments, please write me at sbgenealogy@gmail.com.

Family History: KAMPE, Henry J. (1916-1983)

Henry J. Kampe was born on the 25th day of April 1916 in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. His parents are William Kampe and Selma Elsner. 

During his school years, he played in the band, collected stamps, and collected arrow heads. He found the arrow heads while taking the cattle back and forth in the fields. The area now extends from the city of Frankfort across Route 30 to VanHorn Woods. He loved to travel. Early in life he traveled west. He enjoyed telling the story of how the mountains were so steep that it was necessary to go backwards. He could not gear down the car enough to travel forwards. 

documents for Henry J. Kampe include birth, marriage and death

Henry married Mildred Louise Schuler on the 14th of November 1938. They were married at the brides home in Lockport, Will County, Illinois.

Besides traveling, one of his hobbies was ham radio. He was "W9 Old King Midas."

Ham radio operators collect cards from the people they met. This is a scan of my dad's card.

Henry J. Kampe died on the 10th day of February 1983 and is buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort, Will County, Illinois.

My trees are a work in progress. I am always wanting to meet family members and exchange information. Currently, trees are posted on RootsWeb, My Heritage, and Ancestry.com under the name of Roots Digger family tree. If anyone is researching this line and would like to exchange information, please contact me at sbgenealogy@gmail.com.

Census: Research family relationships, part 1

1940 U.S. Census. Illinois, Will, Frankfort. ED 99-11. Sheet 5B. William Kampe. National Archives. Washington, D. C. Ancestry,.com. accessed 15 April 2013

Digital census records offer a treasure of family clues. Is it possible to build a family from only digital census records? Sometimes this is the single clue to family members. This series of articles will attempt to demonstrate how to research family relationships from digital census records. In this series, the example demonstrates the techniques. Read for ideas not names or locations. FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com offer census indexes.

Research techniques:

• Start from the most recent census available and work backwards
• Build from the known to the unknown
• Abstract the information thoroughly and correctly
• Do not read into the record what is not there
• Connect to the right family
• Use collaborating documentation

The example for this article is a scanned image of the 1940 census; see photo. The genealogical citation would read as follows: 1940 U.S. Census, Will County, Illinois, population schedule, Frankfort Village, Frankfort Township, enumeration district (ED) 99-11, sheet 5B, household 181, William Kampe; digital images, Ancestry.com (complete URL; downloaded 5 April 2012); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
In 1940, the enumerator recorded the following data “Relationship of this person to the head of the household...” on each person in the family unit.
The census image answers the question of the relationship of each person to William Kampe:

• Wilma is his daughter.
• Henry is his son.
• Mildred is his daughter-in-law.
• Selma is his granddaughter.

The census does NOT answer the questions:

• Who is Henry’s wife?
• Who is Mildred’s husband?
• Who are Selma’s parents?

Further research, beyond census records, is needed:

• Marriage license
• Birth certificate
• Newspapers
• Family members

Beyond the census results:

• Henry J. Kampe and Mildred L. Schuler were married on Nov 19, 1938. The genealogical citation would read as follows: Illinois. Will County. Marriage Certificates. Marriage license no. 52414. County Clerk’s Office, Joliet, Illinois.
• Selma’s birth certificate verifies that Henry John Kampe and Mildred Louise Schuler are her parents. The genealogical citation would read as follows: Illinois. Will County. Certificate of Birth. [Information privately held].

Census records offer hints or clues not absolute facts.
For comments and questions, please contact Selma Blackmon, thank you.